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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-23-2015 CHC MinutesSAN LUIS OBISPO CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMITTEE MINUTES March 23, 2015 ROLL CALL: Present: Committee Members Sandy Baer, Thom Brajkovich (arrived 6:35 p.m.), Patti Taylor, Victoria Wood, Vice -Chair Jaime Hill, and Chair Bob Pavlik Absent: Committee Member Platt Staff: Senior Planner Brian Leveille, Associate Planner Rachel Cohen, and Recording Secretary Erica Inderlied ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA: The agenda was accepted as presented. MINUTES: Minutes of February 23, 2015, were approved as amended. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON - AGENDA ITEMS: Joseph Carotenuti, SLO, distributed a recent article he wrote from the SLO Journal about Queenie Warden, namesake of a bridge she had constructed to cross San Luis Obispo Creek; commented that the bridge merits a plaque commemorating its historical significance; noted that he has suggestions for other plaque locations. There were no further comments from the public. Senior Planner, Brian Leveille noted if the CHC had consensus, staff would return at a future meeting with more information on plaque considerations including, size, location, content, funding issues, and possible streamlining of review for future installations. The CHC indicated support for more work on the plaque proposal, and to agendize the matter for future Committee consideration. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS: 1. 752 Palm Street. ARCH - 0893 -2015; Review of a remodel and addition to rear of a Contributing historic resource at 752 Palm Street within the Downtown Historic District with a categorical exemption from CEQA (Existing Facilities); R -4 -H zone; Paragon Design, applicant. Rachel Cohen, Associate Planner, presented the staff report, recommending that the Committee recommend the Community Development Director approve the proposed remodel and addition to the structure, based on findings and subject to conditions. Staff noted the recusal of Committee Member Brajkovich due to his affiliation with the project architectural firm. CHC Minutes March 23, 2015 Page 2 In response to inquiry from Vice -Chair Hill, Associate Planner Cohen stated that the exact age of the addition being demolished is unknown, but that it the structure appears on Sanborn Maps in the early 1900s. She recommended the applicant's representative respond to the question on any potential projections from the roof related to the future installation of the elevator. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Brandon Roscoe, applicant representative, summarized the project. In response to inquiry from Vice -Chair Hill, he clarified that the mechanical for the future elevator would be to the side of the shaft, would not extend above the roof line, and would provide mobility between the garage and living space. In response to inquiry from Committee Member Wood, he clarified that the house will still be one - level, and can be thought of as a single -story floor plan with garage below. Rachael Drake, SLO, neighboring property owner, spoke in general support of the project; noted concern about the impact of the addition's hipped roof on her solar access and viewshed; opined that the current design is non - compliant with Historic District Guideline 3.4.4, relating to the introduction of new or conflicting elements, as the roof design covering the porch at the rear of the building differs from the front of the home and others in the area. In response to inquiry from Committee Member Wood, she stated that the proposed addition will extend beyond the Drake household. David Drake, SLO, neighboring property owner, noted his efforts to work directly with the property owner and project architect; encouraged the Committee to approve an alternate, more historically- correct design utilizing a lower shed roof more similar to the front porch covering. Dean Miller, SLO, spoke in support of the project; commented that the Committee's focus is whether the front of the structure communicates the integrity of the structure as a contributing resource; noted that the stone used along the front elevation's foundation is key; and that it was important to incorporate the stone in the front porch restoration. There were no further comments from the public. COMMITTEE COMMENTS: Vice -Chair Hill noted the Committee cannot respond directly to the adjacent neighbors' concerns of solar access and view sheds since the Committee's scope of review is limited to the Historic Preservation Ordinance. Vice -Chair Hill spoke in support of the project, noting the addition matches the historic residence and is in scale. She noted the property is zoned R -4 and has the potential for more significant development. While the CHC was not finding the roof design over the porch on the addition inconsistent with Historic Preservation Guidelines, she noted it may be worthwhile to provide some language in the CHC's action to that would not preclude future consideration of an alternate roof form. CHC Minutes March 23, 2015 Page 3 Committee Member Baer concurred and noted her support for the project as a well - executed design. Committee Member Wood voiced support for the project; noted that a lower, shed roof would not flow as well with the rest of the structure. Committee Member Taylor noted support for the project, particularly with the reuse of the Bishop's Peak foundation stone. Chair Pavlik noted support for the project, particularly in terms of zoning; commented that historic additions are not intended to be so seamless as to be undetectable; suggested that the applicants incorporate some sort of detail delineating the new portion of the structure to eliminate future confusion as to the historic portions of the structure. There were no further comments from the Committee. On motion by Vice -Chair Hill, seconded by Committee Member Baer, to adopt a resolution recommending the Community Development Director approve the proposed remodel and addition to the structure, based on findings and subject to conditions contained in staff's report, with the following additional conditions: 4. The applicant may consider alternate roof forms for the covered porch at the back of the addition. 5. The addition shall include a visual break /transition to provide differentiation from the historic portion of the structure. AYES: Committee Members Baer, Hill, Pavlik, Taylor, and Wood NOES: None RECUSED: Committee Member Brajkovich ABSENT: Committee Member Platt The motion passed on a 5:0 vote. Committee Member Brajkovich arrived at 6:25 p.m. Committee Member Taylor left the meeting at 6:25 p.m. 2. 3987 Orcutt Road. HIST- 0828 -2015; Historic significance evaluation of a residence at 3987 Orcutt Road, exempt from CEQA review (General Rule); C /OS- SP and R -1 -SP zones; Jeanne Helphenstine, applicant. Rachel Cohen, Associate Planner, presented the staff report, recommending that the Committee recommend the City Council determine that the residence at 3987 Orcutt Road does not qualify for listing as a historic resource. Committee Member Baer inquired as to why the association of the historically important Righetti family with the property is not a factor in its significance. Senior Planner Leveille CHC Minutes March 23, 2015 Page 4 clarified that historical analysis in this area is necessarily subjective, and that the threshold of significance was not found to be reached in this case in the historic evaluation. Baer commented that the buildings on the site do not contribute any significance. Chair Pavlik commented that the nature of a property's association with locally important persons must be evaluated, i.e. whether their activities upon the site are tangible, or whether their contributions were broader and more diffuse. PUBLIC COMMENTS: John Evans, applicant representative, presented photographs and summarized the history of the site; noted agreement with staff's recommendation; opined that extant site resources do not communicate the historical significance of the site. Jeanne Helphenstine, property owner, summarized the family's vision for the site, including reuse of some historic materials; asked the Committee to support staff's recommendation. In response to Committee Members Brajkovich and Baer, Helphenstine stated that the residence is currently unoccupied, and that the site is zoned conservation -open space. COMMITTEE COMMENTS: Committee Member Brajkovich noted support for replacing the structure, with the reuse of as many historical building materials as possible. In response to inquiry from Brajkovich, Jeanne Helphenstine stated that she would like to construct a new, metal barn on site. Committee Member Wood noted support for the preservation of open space. Vice -Chair Hill commented that the landscape rather than structure is historic, noted support for the recommendation. Committee Member Baer noted support for the recommendation. In response to Chair Pavlik, Jeanne Helphenstine clarified that, while the drought has negatively impacted some of the historic plantings, most of them will be saved. There were no further comments from the Committee. On motion by Committee Member Baer, seconded by Committee Member Wood, to adopt a resolution recommending the City Council determine the property is not eligible for the contributing list of historic resources, based on findings contained in the staff report. CHC Minutes March 23, 2015 Page 5 AYES: Committee Members Baer, Brajkovich, Hill, Pavlik, and Wood NOES: None RECUSED: None ABSENT: Committee Members Platt and Taylor The motion passed on a 5:0 vote. 3. 1128 Morro Street. ARCH - 0549 -2014; Review of request to construct a four -story hotel addition over the existing parking lot at the rear of the Granada Hotel with a categorical exemption from CEQA; C -D -H zone; Lunacy Club, LLC, applicant. Senior Planner Brian Leveille stated that staff is recommending continuation of the project to a date uncertain to allow an evaluation of revised plans. PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were no comments from the public. COMMITTEE COMMENTS: There were no comments from the Committee. On motion by Vice -Chair Hill, seconded by Committee Member Baer, to continue the project to a date uncertain. AYES: Committee Members Baer, Brajkovich, Hill, Pavlik, Wood NOES: None RECUSED: None ABSENT: Committee Members Platt, Taylor The motion passed on a 5:0 vote. COMMENT AND DISCUSSION: 4. Staff a. Agenda Forecast Senior Planner Leveille gave a forecast of upcoming agenda items, noting that a special meeting may be scheduled for April 13, 2015, to allow action on the continued Granada Hotel item, at which meeting the Committee's two new members would be sworn in and reappointed Committee Member Baer will be sworn in. Brian Leveille noted that staff is conducting research for the historic street names registry, with volunteer help. CHC Minutes March 23, 2015 Page 6 5. Committee Chair Pavlik noted the opportunity for a nearby conference of the Society for Architectural Historians in 2016 with its location in Pasadena; and that he will participate in the call for session papers. Staff and Committee Members acknowledged the service of outgoing member Pavlik. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted by, Erica Inderlied Recording Secretary Approved by the Cultural Heritage Committee on April 13, 2015. Lauri Thomas Administrative Assistant III